Dyche Criticizes Referee Decisions Following Nottingham Forest’s Loss to Manchester City

Sean Dyche expressed his dissatisfaction with what he termed “bizarre” officiating decisions following Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. The former Burnley manager contended that Cherki’s winning goal should not have been allowed, asserting that Morgan Gibbs-White was fouled by Nico O’Reilly just prior to the goal. Dyche also believed that referee Rob Jones should have issued a second yellow card to City defender Ruben Dias during the second half.

Dyche stated, “In my opinion, it was an easy game to referee, and a straightforward decision for VAR (Video Assistant Referee). When your team performs well, it is disappointing to have to discuss how the officials influenced the game, but it was evident to anyone in the stadium or watching from home. Morgan Gibbs-White was clearly pushed to the ground, and the same player was involved in obstructing the ball. However, he couldn’t block the shot because he was in the air when it passed through him.

“Regardless of how you analyze the situation, it’s ultimately a foul. The officials might argue that ‘the ball wasn’t near the keeper,’ but we all know that if the ball is away from the keeper and you push him to the ground, it is a foul. I cannot comprehend how VAR did not rectify this issue. The fact that they scored from that situation is the double blow. I am a strong supporter of VAR, yet I cannot understand how this call was missed.”

Despite Dyche’s grievances, former England international Wayne Rooney disagreed, stating that he believes the correct decision was made and that O’Reilly was the one at fault. On BBC Match of the Day, Rooney said, “I actually think Nico O’Reilly was fouled. If you look at Morgan Gibbs-White, he grabs O’Reilly’s arm and then he entangles his leg with O’Reilly’s, pulling him down. Therefore, I have no complaints and believe the goal should have stood.”

Dias had previously received a yellow card for dissent in the first half after he expressed his displeasure at being penalized for a challenge on Igor Jesus. Dyche felt that the defender should have been cautioned again early in the second half following another foul on the striker.

He remarked, “They dismiss it as an accident. If that is considered an accident when he is running through on goal, we all know the outcome: a red card. So why is it deemed an accident now, and why has he not received a second yellow card? I find it utterly perplexing. These are straightforward calls; just issue the second yellow and send him off. I am absolutely stunned.”

Currently sitting five points above the relegation zone in 17th place, Nottingham Forest will conclude the year at home against Everton, while Manchester City will play their next match on January 1, 2026, against newly-promoted Sunderland, who remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season.

Though Nottingham Forest left empty-handed, City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the bright future ahead for Forest. He commented on BBC Match of the Day, “Sean Dyche has once again molded a team with a formidable personality, making it incredibly challenging to break down. Igor Jesus won numerous duels, and it was a genuinely tough game. They possess a fantastic lineup with players like Gibbs-White and [Elliot] Anderson. At Christmas time, facing Nottingham Forest away, if you do not have the right mentality… it becomes nearly impossible to secure a victory today.”